EMEA Card Issuing & Acquiring Partnerships Lead

Airwallex-; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 140,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Airwallex is seeking a Senior Manager, Financial Partnerships, Card Issuing & Acquiring, EMEA, to scale our card issuing and acquiring businesses. You will build and manage partnerships with global networks and regional schemes, enabling Airwallex’s entry into new markets and unlocking strategic opportunities with network partners.

You’ll collaborate with internal teams to deliver initiatives, represent Airwallex at industry events, and help grow our brand with partners and customers.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience working with payment networks, card schemes, financial institutions, or other players in the card issuing/acquiring industry.
• Deep understanding of card network dynamics, issuing and acquiring business models, and economics.
• Proven track record of building and managing strategic partnerships in a fast‑paced, technology‑led environment.
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and commercial agreement structuring skills.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams, including Product, Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Commercial.
• International experience—working in multiple markets or managing cross‑border relationships.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills—able to connect with stakeholders at all levels and communicate project expectations and progress effectively.
• Thrive under pressure—work well in a high‑velocity environment with aggressive timelines, constant change, and dynamic priorities.
• Creative problem‑solving skills and innate curiosity—we’re trying to grow Airwallex exponentially by exploring new business constructs, not just replicating the old models employed by industry incumbents

Responsibilities

• Build and manage partnerships with global card networks and local card schemes to support Airwallex’s card issuing and acquiring businesses.
• Facilitate Airwallex’s entry into new markets by coordinating network licensing, regulatory requirements, and program implementation.
• Identify and execute on strategic opportunities with network partners, including product/feature collaboration, new revenue streams, cost optimization, and co‑marketing initiatives, amongst others.
• Negotiate and structure mutually beneficial partnership agreements, and oversee the execution of Airwallex’s obligations under these agreements.
• Represent Airwallex at partner and industry events, actively building our brand profile with partners and customers.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (Product, Legal, Compliance, Finance, Commercial) for strategic planning, execution of critical initiatives, business analysis, and communications regarding partnership status and strategy.

Skills

Card networks

Partnership management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

International experience

Financial services

Strategic thinking

Job description

Airwallex is seeking a Senior Manager, Financial Partnerships, Card Issuing & Acquiring, EMEA, to scale our card issuing and acquiring businesses. You will build and manage partnerships with global networks and regional schemes, enabling Airwallex’s entry into new markets and unlocking strategic opportunities with network partners.

You’ll collaborate with internal teams to deliver initiatives, represent Airwallex at industry events, and help grow our brand with partners and customers.